➀ Nvidia's GTC 2025 unveiled a roadmap with powerful new AI GPUs and systems, including Rubin GPUs for 2026 and Rubin Ultra in 2027.
➁ Intel's restructuring began with new CEO Lip-Bu Tan and a reorganization of Intel Foundry operations.
➂ Storage solutions for AI use cases were showcased, including Kioxia's 122.88TB SSD and Seagate's NVMe HDDs.
SK Hynix is planning to install equipment in its new M15X factory two months ahead of schedule, due to a surge in orders for its high-bandwidth memory (HBM) from customers, particularly Broadcom. The company is also expanding its production capabilities.
➀ Researchers developed lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver mRNA encoding the KRAS G12D neoantigen and cGAMP to reprogram the liver's immune environment and generate an antitumor response against metastatic pancreatic cancer.
➁ The LNPs successfully activated the type I interferon pathway, leading to the generation of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells capable of recognizing and attacking metastatic cancer cells.
➂ The study suggests that combining KRAS mRNA with a STING agonist strengthens the immune response against PDAC and offers a more effective approach than traditional immunotherapies.
➀ Ed reflects on the sources of €1trn and his strategy to secure a share of it;
➁ Ed discusses the possibility of the US raising €800 billion for 'ReArm Europe' and €200 billion for 'InvestAI';
➂ Ed's assignment to the EU as 'Digital Envoy' and his plan to spend on meals and indulgences to identify influential figures in the spending of the funds.
Hanwha Semitech announced on Friday that it has entered into a 21 billion won agreement to supply high-bandwidth memory (HBM) production equipment to SK Hynix. The company, previously known as Hanwha Precision Machinery, did not specify the equipment, but it is almost certain to be thermal compression (TC) bonders.
➀ A research team led by Professor Kyu-Young Park from POSTECH has developed technology to significantly increase the lifespan and energy density of electric vehicle (EV) batteries;
➁ The technology involves a 'nano-spring coating' technique that improves battery stability and performance;
➂ The research is published in ACS Nano and has the potential to revolutionize EV battery technology.
➀ A new type of miniaturized pumps and valves using ultra-thin silicon films is presented at the Hannover Messe, developed by researchers at Saarland University. These pumps and valves operate without air pressure, motors, and lubricants, and can be operated in clean rooms. The team demonstrates a prototype of a new vacuum pump that can draw a vacuum up to 300 millibars.
➁ The technology is cost-effective, lightweight, and energy-efficient compared to current methods, with a 400 times lower energy consumption compared to conventional air-driven valves.
➂ The researchers have developed a novel actuator and pump technology that can be used in various applications, including robotic grippers, speakers, smart textiles, and haptic feedback.
➀ Neil Druckmann discussed the evolving role of storytelling in video games with screenwriter Alex Garland, reflecting on the challenges and inspirations around narratives in games.
➁ Games like BioShock and The Last of Us demonstrated the full capability of narrative in gaming, challenging the industry's skepticism.
➂ Druckmann shared his early inspirations for narrative-driven games, including Monkey Island 2 and Half-Life 2.
➀ A team from Saarland University's Faculty of Engineering and Medicine is developing smart implants at the university and university hospital to monitor and promote healing in body bone fractures.
➁ The robotic implants can stiffen and soften through shape-memory technology, allowing for permanent monitoring of fracture healing.
➂ The research team is miniaturizing the technology for use in market screws as part of an EU project.
➀ Reputable leaker Billbil-Kun reports that Death Stranding 2 pre-orders are expected to start in March, with a release date likely announced at SXSW 2025.
➁ The game will have a Standard Edition at $69.99 and a Collector's Edition at $229.
➂ The leak also confirms that Death Stranding 2 will launch with a physical Standard Edition, priced at $69.99 USD / 69.99 EUR, along with a Collector's Edition planned for North America and Europe, retailing at $229 USD.
➀ The Q4 DRAM market grew 9.9%, reaching over $28 billion;
➁ Seasonal Q1 weakness and weakening CSP demand are expected to lower prices in the current quarter;
➂ Samsung remained the top DRAM supplier with $11.25 billion in revenue, followed by Hynix and Micron.
➀ Dr. Prady Gupta is the Founder and Chief Scientist at Infinita Lab and Infinita Materials, focusing on materials testing and specialized chemicals for high-tech industries.
➁ Infinita Lab offers a network of over 2,000 accredited labs for comprehensive materials testing services.
➂ Infinita Materials specializes in custom inorganic chemicals for sectors like semiconductors and batteries.
➀ NAND manufacturers are often overlooked in the AI boom despite their role in storage.
➁ The demand for DRAM, especially HBM, in AI computing far outstrips that for NAND, which is primarily used for secondary storage.
➂ The NAND market has experienced ups and downs, with a surge in demand for enterprise SSDs driven by AI servers and a decline in consumer demand.
➃ SanDisk's HBF technology offers a potential new direction for NAND, providing high bandwidth and capacity for AI inference applications.
➄ NAND manufacturers are exploring other avenues, such as increasing storage density and optimizing production capacity, to adapt to the AI market.
➀ This paper discusses the post-silicon validation of the IBM POWER9 processor, highlighting its significance in the context of increasing multi-core processor adoption by hyperscalers.
➁ IBM's Threadmill, a tool for processor verification, has been enhanced since the POWER7, including optimized template allocation and debugging strategies for multi-core write drops.
➂ The validation methodology for POWER9 has significantly improved bug detection rates compared to POWER8, with new techniques like AI prioritization and hardware irritators to induce bugs.
➀ Traditional RF board design strategies are insufficient for high frequencies and dense layouts;
➁ Keysight and Modelithics collaborate on an advanced RF board simulation workflow;
➂ The use of 3D passive component models enhances simulation accuracy and reduces the risk of board re-spins.
Genesem, a fab equipment manufacturer, has supplied a package sorter for the final testing of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) to a South Korean chip-maker. This is Genesem's first deal of this kind with the chip-maker. The sorter is also compatible with HBM inspection equipment that Nvidia requested.
➀ Samsung's top chip executive visited Nvidia's headquarters in the US;
➁ He brought a sample of the company's latest 1b DRAM;
➂ The purpose of the visit was to discuss the potential use of the improved DRAM for HBM.
➀ The GeForce RTX 5060's launch has been pushed back to April 2025 due to 'chip supply constraints';
➁ The delay affects the RTX 5070, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090, with limited supply expected leading to instant sellouts;
➂ The AI boom is increasing semiconductor demand, impacting the availability of the new GeForce RTX 50 Series.
➀ Anduril Industries, led by Palmer Luckey, is set to take over the US Army's Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program, pending Department of Defense approval.
➁ The program includes advanced headgear with AR capabilities, and Anduril will manage production and development with Microsoft Azure as the preferred cloud provider.
➂ Palmer Luckey, the founder of Oculus VR and Anduril Industries, sees this as a deeply personal achievement, emphasizing the potential of the technology to save lives.
Hanwha Precision Machinery is on the verge of officially securing orders from SK Hynix for thermal compression (TC) bonders used in the production of high-bandwidth memory (HBM). Sources indicate that the equipment manufacturer is in the final stages of verification with the chip-maker.
